K220372 · Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd. · FMK · May 17, 2022 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K220372
Device Name
Heel Stick Safety Lancet (HHZ-II, HHZ-III)
Applicant
Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd.
Product Code
FMK · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
May 17, 2022
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4850
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Pediatric
Indications for Use
Heel Stick Safety Lancet is intended for the collection of capillary blood from the heel of newborn, preemie, and toddler. The lancet has equipped with safety protection features.
Device Story
Single-use, sterile, manual surgical instrument; used by healthcare professionals for capillary blood collection from heels of newborns, preemies, and toddlers. Device comprises blade, blade base, spring, top head, bottom, and activation button. Operator presses button to trigger spring-loaded blade; safety mechanism retracts blade after use to prevent sharps injury. Device is provided sterile via radiation; intended for prescription use only. Benefits include standardized incision depth/width and integrated sharps injury prevention, reducing risk of accidental needlestick to clinicians.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing included appearance, cleanness, dimensions, firmness, launch performance, and safety feature activation force (4-10N). Biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993) confirmed no cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, systemic toxicity, or pyrogenicity. Simulated clinical use study on 600 samples per FDA guidance and ISO 23908 confirmed safety mechanism efficacy.
Technological Characteristics
Manual spring-loaded lancet; blade made of stainless steel; housing made of ABS plastic. Dimensions: 0.65mm-1.50mm depth; 1.50mm-2.80mm width. Sterilized by radiation (SAL 10^-6). Single-use. Biocompatibility per ISO 10993. Safety feature performance per ISO 23908:2011.
Indications for Use
Indicated for capillary blood collection from the heel of newborns, preemies, and toddlers.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
The regulation covers four types of blood lancets: (a) Single use only blood lancet with an integral sharps injury prevention feature; (b) Single use only blood lancet without an integral sharps injury prevention feature; (c) Multiple use blood lancet for single patient use only; and (d) Multiple use blood lancet for multiple patient use. All are defined as disposable or reusable devices comprised of a blade attached to a base used to puncture the skin to obtain a drop of blood for diagnostic purposes.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls are:(i) The design characteristics of the device must ensure that the structure and material composition are consistent with the intended use and must include a sharps injury prevention feature.
(ii) Mechanical performance testing must demonstrate that the device will withstand forces encountered during use and that the integral sharps injury prevention feature will irreversibly disable the device after one use.
(iii) The device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(iv) Sterility testing must demonstrate the sterility of any device component that breaches the skin (
*e.g.,* blade).(v) Labeling must include:
(A) Detailed descriptions, with illustrations, of the proper use of the device and its sharps injury prevention feature.
(B) Handwashing instructions for the user before and after use of the device.
(C) Instructions on preparation (
*e.g.,* cleaning, disinfection) of the skin to be pierced.(D) Instructions for the safe disposal of the device.
(E) Labeling must be appropriate for the intended use environment.
(
*1* ) For those devices intended for health care settings, labeling must address the health care facility use of these devices, including how these lancets are to be used with personal protective equipment, such as gloves.(
*2* ) For those devices intended for use in the home, labeling must be written so that it is understandable to lay users.(vi) Labeling must also include the following statements, prominently placed:
(A) “For use only on a single patient. Discard the entire device after use.”
(B) “Warning: Not intended for more than one use. Do not use on more than one patient. Improper use of blood lancets can increase the risk of inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, particularly in settings where multiple patients are tested.”
(b)
*Single use only blood lancet without an integral sharps injury prevention feature* —(1)*Identification.* A disposable blood lancet intended for a single use that is comprised of a single use blade attached to a solid, non-reusable base that is used to puncture the skin to obtain a drop of blood for diagnostic purposes.(2)
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls are:(i) The design characteristics of the device must ensure that the structure and material composition are consistent with the intended use and address the risk of sharp object injuries and bloodborne pathogen transmissions.
(ii) Mechanical performance testing must demonstrate that the device will withstand forces encountered during use.
(iii) The device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(iv) Sterility testing must demonstrate the sterility of any device component that breaches the skin (
*e.g.,* blade).(v) Labeling must include:
(A) Detailed descriptions, with illustrations, of the proper use of the device.
(B) Handwashing instructions for the user before and after use of the device.
(C) Instructions on preparation (
*e.g.,* cleaning, disinfection) of the skin to be pierced.(D) Instructions for the safe disposal of the device.
(E) Labeling must be appropriate for the intended use environment.
(
*1* ) For those devices intended for health care settings, labeling must address the health care facility use of these devices, including how these lancets are to be used with personal protective equipment, such as gloves.(
*2* ) For those devices intended for use in the home, labeling must be written so that it is understandable to lay users.(vi) Labeling must also include the following statements, prominently placed:
(A) “For use only on a single patient. Discard the entire device after use.”
(B) “Warning: Not intended for more than one use. Do not use on more than one patient. Improper use of blood lancets can increase the risk of inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, particularly in settings where multiple patients are tested.”
(c)
*Multiple use blood lancet for single patient use only* —(1)*Identification.* A multiple use capable blood lancet intended for use on a single patient that is comprised of a single use blade attached to a solid, reusable base that is used to puncture the skin to obtain a drop of blood for diagnostic purposes.(2)
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls are:(i) The design characteristics of the device must ensure that:
(A) The lancet blade can be changed with every use, either manually or by triggering a blade storage unit to discard the used blade and reload an unused blade into the reusable base; and
(B) The structure and material composition are consistent with the intended use and address the risk of sharp object injuries and bloodborne pathogen transmissions and allow for validated cleaning and disinfection.
(ii) Mechanical performance testing must demonstrate that the device will withstand forces encountered during use.
(iii) The device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(iv) Sterility testing must demonstrate the sterility of any device component that breaches the skin (
*e.g.,* blade).(v) Validation testing must demonstrate that the cleaning and disinfection instructions are adequate to ensure that the reusable lancet base can be cleaned and low level disinfected.
(vi) Labeling must include:
(A) Detailed descriptions, with illustrations, of the proper use of the device.
(B) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant's contact time for disinfectant use.
(C) Handwashing instructions for the user before and after use of the device.
(D) Instructions on preparation (
*e.g.,* cleaning, disinfection) of the skin to be pierced.(E) Instructions on the cleaning and disinfection of the device.
(F) Instructions for the safe disposal of the device.
(G) Instructions for use must address the safe storage of the reusable blood lancet base between uses to minimize contamination or damage and the safe storage and disposal of the refill lancet blades.
(H) Labeling must be appropriate for the intended use environment.
(
*1* ) For those devices intended for health care settings, labeling must address the health care facility use of these devices, including how these lancets are to be used with personal protective equipment, such as gloves.(
*2* ) For those devices intended for use in the home, labeling must be written so that it is understandable to lay users.(vii) Labeling must also include the following statements, prominently placed:
(A) “For use only on a single patient. Disinfect reusable components according to manufacturer's instructions between each use.”
(B) “Used lancet blades must be safely discarded after a single use.”
(C) “Warning: Do not use on more than one patient. Improper use of blood lancets can increase the risk of inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, particularly in settings where multiple patients are tested. The cleaning and disinfection instructions for this device are intended only to reduce the risk of local use site infection; they cannot render this device safe for use for more than one patient.”
(d)
*Multiple use blood lancet for multiple patient use* —(1)*Identification.* A multiple use capable blood lancet intended for use on multiple patients that is comprised of a single use blade attached to a solid, reusable base that is used to puncture the skin to obtain a drop of blood for diagnostic purposes.(2)
*Classification.* Class III (premarket approval).(3)
*Date PMA or notice of completion of a PDP is required:* A PMA or a notice of completion of a PDP is required to be filed with the Food and Drug Administration on or before May 22, 2024, for any multiple use blood lancet for multiple patient use described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976, or that has, on or before May 22, 2024, been found to be substantially equivalent to a multiple use blood lancet for multiple patient use described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976. Any other multiple use blood lancet for multiple patient use shall have an approved PMA or a declared completed PDP in effect before being placed in commercial distribution.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The logo consists of two parts: the Department of Health & Human Services logo on the left and the FDA text logo on the right. The FDA text logo is in blue and consists of the letters "FDA" in a square and the words "U.S. Food & Drug Administration".
May 17, 2022
Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd. % Stuart Situ. Director Landlink Healthcare Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd Room 1308, Baohua International Plaza, West Guangzhong Road 555, Jingan District, Shanghai, 200072 China
Re: K220372
Trade/Device Name: Heel Stick Safety Lancet (HHZ-II, HHZ-III) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4800 Regulation Name: Manual Surgical Instrument For General Use Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FMK Dated: January 28, 2022 Received: February 9, 2022
Dear Stuart Situ:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpm/pmn.cfm identifies.combination product submissions. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
{1}------------------------------------------------
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801): medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reportingcombination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reportingmdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
For comprehensive regulatory information about medical devices and radiation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advice-comprehensive-regulatoryassistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE(@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
Long Chen, Ph.D. Assistant Director DHT4A: Division of General Surgery Devices OHT4: Office of Surgical and Infection Control Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
#### Indications for Use
Submission Number (if known)
K220372
Device Name
| Heel Stick Safety Lancet (HHZ-II, HHZ-III) |
|--------------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------------------|
Indications for Use (Describe)
Heel Stick Safety Lancet is intended for the collection of capillary blood from the heel of newborn, preemie, and toddler. The lancet has equipped with safety protection features.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
#### CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
#### *DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE PRA STAFF EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.*
The burden time for this collection of information is estimated to average 79 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Officer Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Staff PRAStaff(@fda.hhs.gov
"An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number."
{3}------------------------------------------------
# 510(k) summary-K220372
#### l Submitter
Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd. A01, Plant B, No.278, Hangkong Road, Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone (Air Port Industrial Park), 300308 Tianjin, China
Establishment Registration Number: 3009498536
Contact person: Ms. Ying Yuan Quality Manager Tel.: +86-18622179097 E-mail: ying.yuan@hh-technology.com
#### Submission Correspondent:
Ms. Stuart Situ Landlink Healthcare Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. E-mail: stuart.situ@landlink-healthcare.com
Preparation date: Jan 28, 2022
## II Proposed Device
| Trade Name of Device: | Heel Stick Safety Lancet (HHZ-II,HHZ-III) |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common name: | Single Use Only Blood Lancet With An Integral Sharps Injury<br>Prevention Feature |
| Regulation Number: | 21 CFR 878.4850 |
| Regulatory Class: | Class II |
| Product code: | FMK |
| Review Panel | General & Plastic Surgery |
### III Predicate Devices
| 510(k) Number: | K210745 |
|-----------------|---------------------------------|
| Trade name: | Heel Incision Safety Lancet |
| Classification: | Class I |
| Product Code: | FMK |
| Manufacturer: | SteriLance Medical(Suzhou) Inc. |
{4}------------------------------------------------
## IV Device description
The heel stick safety lancet is offered in various depth size (0.65mm, 0.85mm, 1.00mm, 1.50mm) and width size (1.50 mm, 1.75mm, 2.50 mm, 2.80 mm).
It consists of blade base, blade, which is welded with the blade base, spring, top head, bottom, and pushing button. The top head and bottom are intended to provide physical protection to the blade, and PET blister along with the tyvek paper cover the primary sterile barrier system for the device. The product is individually primarily packaged and sterilized to a SAL of 10° by radiation sterilization. It is intended for single use only. The shelf-life of the product is 5 years.
Heel stick safety lancet is intended to be used by professionals. The product is intended for prescription (Rx) only.
## V Indication for use
Heel Stick Safety Lancet is intended for the collection of capillary blood from the heel of newborn, preemie, and toddler. The lancet has equipped with safety protection features.
### VI Comparison of technological characteristics with the predicate devices
The comparison and discussion between the subject device and the predicate devices are listed in below table 1:
| Item | Proposed device<br>(K220372) | Predicate device<br>(K210745) | Discussion |
|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Product name | Heel Stick Safety Lancet<br>(HHZ-II,HHZ-III) | Heel Incision Safety Lancet | Same |
| Product Code | FMK | FMK | Same |
| Regulation No. | 21 CFR § 878.4850 | 21 CFR § 878.4800 | Similar¹ |
| Class | II | I | Similar¹ |
| Prescription/<br>over-the-counter use | Prescription Use | Prescription Use | Same |
| Indication for<br>use | Heel Stick Safety Lancet is<br>intended for the collection of<br>capillary blood from the heel<br>of newborn, preemie, and<br>toddler. The lancet has<br>equipped with safety<br>protection features | Heel Incision Safety Lancet<br>is intended for the<br>collection of capillary blood<br>from the heel of newborn,<br>preemie, and toddler. The<br>lancet has equipped with<br>safety protection features | Same |
| Applicable<br>user | Newborn, preemie, and<br>toddler | Newborn, preemie, and<br>toddler | Same |
| Safety<br>protection<br>features | Yes | Yes | Same |
| Reuse<br>durability | Single use | Single use | Same |
| Sterilization<br>method and<br>SAL | Sterilized by Radiation<br>SAL=10-6 | Sterilized by Radiation<br>SAL=10-6 | Same |
| Self-life | 5 years | 5 years | Same |
| Component | 1. Blade<br>2. Blade base<br>3. Top head<br>4. Bottom<br>5. Pushing button<br>6. Spring | 1. Triggering button<br>2. Safety button/Screw<br>button<br>3. Spring<br>4. Cam<br>5. Lancet core<br>6. Shell<br>7. Blade<br>8. Swing arm | Simila<br>r2 |
| Incision<br>Depth*Width | 0.65*1.50 mm<br>0.85*1.75 mm<br>1.00*2.50 mm<br>1.50*2.80 mm | 0.65*1.40 mm<br>0.85*1.75 mm<br>1.00*2.50 mm<br>1.14*2.80 mm<br>2.00*3.00 mm | Simila<br>r3 |
| Materials of | Blade: stainless steel | Blade:304 stainless steel | Same |
| parts in | Top head: ABS | Shell: ABS | |
| contact with<br>human body | Bottom: ABS | Triggering button: ABS | |
| | Pushing bottom: ABS | Safety button: ABS | |
| Biocompatibil | Conforms to the | Conforms to the | Same |
| ity | requirements of ISO 10993 | requirements of ISO 10993 | |
| | series standards. | series standards. | |
| Label/Labeling | Complied with 21 CFR part | Complied with 21 CFR part | Same |
| | 801 | 801 | |
Table 1 General Comparison of Heel Stick Safety Lancet
{5}------------------------------------------------
{6}------------------------------------------------
1 The classification and Regulation number are different because FDA issued the final order about Reclassification of Blood Lancets on 11/22/2021.
2 The component of proposed devices is different from the predicate devices. However, the performance test for proposed device has been conducted as same as predicate device. The Safety feature performance specification for predicate device is a little difference. However, the safety feature performance test for proposed device has been evaluated and the test result conforms to requirements of ISO 23908:2011 standards. Therefore, the difference on configuration and materials does not affect substantially equivalence.
3 The Incision depth and width of proposed devices is different from the predicate devices. However, the performance test for proposed device has been conducted as same as predicate device. And the depth and width of the proposed devices is covered by the predicated devices. Therefore, the difference on configuration and materials does not affect substantially equivalence.
# VII Non-Clinical Testing
The bench testing performed verifies that the proposed device is as safe, as effective, and performs as well as the legally marketed predicate device in terms of critical performance characteristics. These tests are as follow.
| Items | Acceptance criteria | Results |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Appearance | The product color shall be correct, with the surface without burr and scratches | Meet the requirement |
| Cleanness | The product shall be cleaned | Meet the requirement |
| Dimension | HHZ-II : | Meet the |
{7}------------------------------------------------
| | length: 32.0mm±1.0mm; width:<br>11.5mm±0.5mm<br>HHZ-III :<br>length: 36.65mm±0.5mm; width:<br>11.6±0.5mm | requirement |
|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Firmness | Blade and blade base shall be firmly connected. | Meet the requirement |
| Launch performance | Launch performance should be<br>good, launch button press<br>smoothly, no jam | Meet the requirement |
| Launch depth and Launch<br>width | Launch depth and launch width<br>shall meet the requirements. | Meet the requirement |
| Force to activate the<br>safety feature | 4 - 10N | Meet the requirement |
| Testing access to the<br>sharp in safe mode | The blade shall not touch the<br>sphere. | Meet the requirement |
## Biocompatibility Testing:
The biocompatibility evaluations were conducted in accordance with the 2020 FDA Guidance document Use of International Standard ISO 10993-1 "Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part 1: Evaluation and Testing within a Risk Management Process" . The tests include the following tests:
| Item | Test method | Test results |
|---------------------------|--------------------|----------------------------|
| In Vitro Cytotoxicity | ISO 10993-5: 2009 | No Cytotoxicity |
| Skin Sensitization | ISO 10993-10: 2010 | No Skin sensitization |
| Intracutaneous reactivity | ISO 10993-10: 2010 | No irritation |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity | ISO 10993-11: 2017 | No Acute Systemic Toxicity |
| Pyrogenicity | ISO 10993-11: 2017 | No thermogenic reaction |
# Simulated Clinical Use
A simulated clinical use study was performed on 600 device samples each for the Heel Stick Safety Lancet according to FDA Guidance, Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Medical Device with Sharps Injury Prevention Feature, issued on August 9, 2005 and ISO 23908 to evaluate the safety mechanism of the proposed device. The results demonstrated that the proposed device met the pre-established criteria.
# VIII Clinical Testing
{8}------------------------------------------------
No clinical study is included in this submission.
# IX Conclusion
The proposed device has the same indication for use and has similar design features and technological characteristic as the predicate device. Performance testing data demonstrates that the proposed device is safety and effectiveness as the predicated device. Accordingly, the proposed device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.
